The Jackel has it on the nose! We have only got 12% of the TAC in lbs. If , and I assure you that it is correct and accepted by the International Halibut Commission, that 1/2 our recreational catch is under 74 cm, or 25 lbs. then 6% of the total Canadian allowable catch, recreational, is over 25 lbs., then no matter what we catch or how we fish, or what we keep, we recreational anglers will never impact brood stock, not ever impact conservation concerns for halibut future fishing.
Give it a rest is wonderful advice and accurate...6% of the fishery just doesn't make a significant impact on the stock.
Our guides and general recreational anglers are doing the best they can to help the public fishery harvest their very limited and probably unconstitutionally limited access to halibut. So a few females are harvested...88% of the harvest through commercial fishing is what impacts brood stock, and only that 88% harvest.
If a fishery officer was commenting on the practice of 6% of the harvest, then he or she is, as usual , very uninformed of the harvest assignment and the operation of the IPHC operation and rules. The Officers I speak with and help are well versed on the issue, and do not make comments such as Scotty Boy suggests.